Food Pantry Forms

Cape Ann Food “Bank” forms with leadership from Action Inc., Rockport Congregational Church, and Cape Ann Interfaith Commission.

The Open Door Forms

The Open Door, a Place of Hospitality Inc. forms under the leadership of Wellspring House Inc.

Joins the Greater Boston Food Bank and receives USDA Commodities

The Open Door merges with Cape Ann Food “Bank.”

Moves to 28 Emerson Avenue in Gloucester.

The Open Door meals (presently Community Meals) joins food pantry at 28 Emerson Avenue.

Second Glance Thrift Store moves to first storefront location at East Gloucester Plaza.

First Annual Empty Bowl Dinner

Summer lunch program launches at Riverdale Park and Willowood Gardens.

Holiday Meal Basket program (formerly Turkey Dinner Baskets) launches Thanksgiving and Holiday meals.

Program grows to meet need from 2 to 21 sites to provide free meals to children (18 and under) during the 10 weeks of summer vacation.

Food Stamp (SNAP) application and advocacy assistance begins. In 2017 earns a 95% approval rating from Department of Transitional Assistance.

Job Training program and community service program formalizes.

Second Glance relocates to present address at 2 Pond Road.

Food Rescue Program formalized

Mobile Market Launches

Mobile Market, a free farmers’ market for low-income households, launches at Riverdale Park.

Mobile Market Opens new site at Willowood Gardens.

Mobile Market adds 9 new sites, between 2007 and 2015, including schools, senior centers, and a 2-year temporary site for homeless families living in motels on the North Shore.

Food Pantry purchases 28 Emerson from Wellspring House Inc.

Nutrition Department expands with Garden Project, cooking classes and Taste Tests. Prescription Food Bag launches with Addison Gilbert Hospital.

Good Food Box (now called Maridee’s Good Food Box) launches to help vulnerable populations better manage health conditions and diet.

Nutrition guidelines and training for volunteer catering groups begin.

Fruit & Vegetable Campaign launches in Food Pantry and adds gluten-free products in 2013.

PowerSnack, an after-school supper program, begins.

Second Glance expands retail, processing areas, Furniture Annex and donation center.

Family Supper opens on Tuesday nights.

2,000 square foot warehouse expansion and Gloucester Pantry reconfiguration for Client-Directed Trauma-Informed Care service.

All volunteer Ipswich Food Pantry merges with The Open Door, forms new satellite Ipswich Community Food Pantry at Agawam Village to expand service area from 5 to 10 communities.

Adds diaper bank. Adds menstrual hygiene products in 2017 with Period Partners.

Mobile Market- two new school sites open at North Shore Community College in Danvers, and Winthrop Elementary School in Ipswich.

On Your Mark! Workforce development program for young adults (ages 16-21) launches.

Hires first Registered Dietitian to expand health and nutrition, offers nutrition counseling and workshops.